Gold Lake, Washington: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Washington, Gold Lake belongs to Kittitas County. Land around it is rolling hill. This is a pocket water of some 3 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Tanner sits 19 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The big place round here is Renton, 41 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Gold Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Fish documented in Kittitas County include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and largemouth bass. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The shape of Gold Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 59°F and January reads 26°F. Spring and autumn are the strongest, but nothing is truly closed. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Expect Gold Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Lake Lillian sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Gold Lake are worth checking on the day.